Alkaline Water: Fact or Fad?

The holy grail of health-conscious and fitness-conscious people around the world is none other than alkaline water. Famed for its myriad benefits to our health from the inside out and considered the fountain of youth by many, but the question still stands….. Does it live up to the hype?

Living healthy is one of the foremost talking points particularly amongst Gen-Y. They tend to place significant importance on it and this can be attributed to the fact that most people have begun to comprehend how essential what we consume is in maintaining our overall state of wellbeing and avoiding chronic disease simultaneously. Most nutritionists will testify to the fact that many of the diseases and health issues plaguing the world today can be traced back to diet and lifestyle hence why many of them recommend various holistic remedies and diet plans to maintain optimal health.

Amongst the most popular diets the healthy and fit have gravitated towards in recent times are the dairy-free diet, the keto diet, 5:2 diet, the yin and yang diet as well as the cancer-preventing diet all of which are specifically targeted for a particular benefit. Case in point, the 5:2 diet plans aids weight loss whereas the dairy-free diet improves gut function. Apart from the aforementioned, there’s one more that remains in the limelight amongst millennials- The Alkaline Diet. Those opting for an alkaline diet swear by alkaline water as a means of keeping their body in an alkaline state. 

So what exactly does “alkaline” which has become a buzz word in recent times even mean? Simple. Anything that has the properties of an alkali, or contains an alkali with a pH that is greater than 7 can be considered “alkaline”. Proponents of it believe that its benefits are multifarious and range from rejuvenating our overall health to giving its consumers glowing skin. 

Despite the ample anecdotes from those “living alkaline and proud”, as with all good things initially, there remain skeptics. For the benefit of those whose interest in alkaline water has been piqued, the time is now to delve into the nitty-gritty and establish if alkaline water is founded on facts for real. Read along to discover the truth! 

The 411 on all things alkaline

The human stomach is extremely acidic having a pH balance in the range of 2 to 3 in general which facilitates digestion and multiple other purposes. However, certain things consumed such as junk food or processed food can cause our stomach’s pH balance to go haywire. This can lead to innumerable gut-related issues, the most common being acidity, acid reflux, headache, heartburn, and potentially, even gut infections. If left unattended for too long, these issues might evolve into chronic illnesses such as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. 

The primary motivation behind consuming alkaline water is simple- to increase the alkalinity of the body thus improving the pH balance of the body to safeguard it from the negative impact that acidosis can potentially cause. Alkaline water, when supplemented by fresh fruit and vegetables which are also highly alkaline can help the body heal, maintain gut balance and improve overall health and wellbeing from the inside out.